AT&T Enhances Local Wireless Network For Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M., Oct. 6, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- As thousands of people converge for the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta®, AT&T* is boosting network capacity at Balloon Fiesta Park to help its customers have a great wireless experience.

The company has deployed a Cell on Wheels (COW), to accommodate expected increased wireless network demands from high concentrations of smartphone users in Albuquerque. The augmentations will help improve reliability and data speeds as the event runs from October 4 through October 12.

"Events like the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta generate memorable experiences that our customers will want to share with friends and family through text messages, photos, status updates on social networks and calls from their mobile devices," said Jerry Fuentes, president of AT&T Arizona and New Mexico. "We've deployed a team of network engineers that's hard at work on local enhancements to help provide great connectivity, solid coverage and fast speeds."

The temporary enhancements are part of AT&T's ongoing efforts to prepare for and provide the best possible mobile experience during special events like the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta in Balloon Fiesta Park. With crowds expected to reach 850,000 attendees, AT&T's network team has and deployed a COW to support the crowd's mobile Internet needs.

AT&T is building its network for speed, reliability and overall performance.  AT&T made strategic network architecture decisions as the company planned for 4G – taking into account what services customers would want down the line, and how they could be best served. Our 4G LTE deployment is ahead of schedule, covering more than 300 million people.

AT&T launched its ultra-fast 4G LTE network in Albuquerque in December 2012, providing mobile Internet speeds up to 10 times faster than 3G.**

AT&T's focus to deliver the best possible mobile Internet experience goes beyond 4G to embrace additional connection technologies. AT&T owns and operates more than 34,000 AT&T Wi-Fi Hot Spots at popular restaurants, hotels, bookstores and retailers, and provides access to more than 1 million hotspots globally through roaming agreements. Most AT&T smartphone customers get access to our entire national Wi-Fi network at no additional cost, and Wi-Fi usage doesn't count against customers' monthly wireless data plans.***

AT&T invested more than $80 million in its Albuquerque area wireless and wireline networks from 2010 through 2013. Over the past six years (2008-2013), AT&T invested more than $140 billion into its wireless and wireline networks, when you combine capital and spectrum acquisitions. Over the past six years, AT&T has invested more capital into the U.S. economy than any other public company. In a September 2013 report, the Progressive Policy Institute ranked AT&T No. 1 on its list of U.S. "Investment Heroes."

For more information about AT&T's coverage in Albuquerque or anywhere in the United States, consumers can visit the AT&T Coverage Viewer.  For updates on the AT&T wireless network, please visit the AT&T network news page.

*AT&T products and services are provided or offered by subsidiaries and affiliates of AT&T Inc. under the AT&T brand and not by AT&T Inc.

** Up to 10x claim compares 4G LTE download speeds to industry average 3G download speeds. Learn more about 4G LTE at att.com/network.

*** A Wi-Fi enabled device required. Other restrictions apply. See www.attwifi.com for details and locations.

About AT&T

AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T) is a premier communications holding company and one of the most honored companies in the world. Its subsidiaries and affiliates – AT&T operating companies – are the providers of AT&T services in the United States and internationally. With a powerful array of network resources that includes the nation's most reliable 4G LTE network, AT&T is a leading provider of wireless, Wi-Fi, high speed Internet, voice and cloud-based services. A leader in mobile Internet, AT&T also offers the best global wireless coverage, based on offering roaming in more countries than any other U.S. based carrier, and offers the most wireless phones that work in the most countries. It also offers advanced TV service with the AT&T U-verse^® brand. The company's suite of IP-based business communications services is one of the most advanced in the world.

Additional information about AT&T Inc. and the products and services provided by AT&T subsidiaries and affiliates is available at http://about.att.com or follow our news on Twitter at @ATT, on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/att and YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/att.

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Cautionary Language Concerning Forward-Looking Statements
Information set forth in this press release contains financial estimates and other forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties, and actual results might differ materially. A discussion of factors that may affect future results is contained in AT&T's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. AT&T disclaims any obligation to update and revise statements contained in this news release based on new information or otherwise.

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